CHICAGO vs BALTIMORE
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Ravens -6. O/U: 39.5
PREDICTION: Ravens 24, Bears 17

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -6 point favorites versus the CHICAGO, while the game’s total is sitting at 39.5.

The matchup between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens features a pair of quarterbacks on opposite sides of their career.

Chicago rookie Mitchell Trubisky is looking to take the next step in his development with his second consecutive start. Meanwhile, 10-year veteran Joe Flacco has regained his confidence after some shaky performances for Baltimore.

The quarterbacks will offer a contrast of styles when they meet Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

After missing all of training camp with an injured back, the strong-armed Flacco finally had some success throwing the ball downfield Week 5 against Oakland. The 30-17 victory propelled Baltimore (3-2) into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the AFC North.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Bears LB Willie Young (triceps) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.

2. Baltimore RB Terrance West (calf) sat out practice this week and is doubtful.

3. Chicago LB Danny Trevathan will return after serving a one-game suspension for a hit on Green Bay WR Davante Adams.

Trubisky, the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, was uneven in his first start, going 12 for 25 for 128 yards with a touchdown and costly interception in a 20-17 loss to Minnesota. Chicago coach John Fox has expressed confidence in Trubisky and believes he can make further strides against Baltimore, especially with his mobility.

“He’s got what it takes,” Fox said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. For a first game, I go back to watching guys like Joe Montana in his first game. I’ve seen a few of them. I’m not making comparisons at this point, but he will do nothing but get better.”

It’s just the sixth regular-season meeting between the teams with the Bears (1-4) leading the series, 3-2. The teams have not played since Nov. 17, 2013, when host Chicago escaped with a 23-20 overtime victory in a game that was delayed nearly two hours because of a tornado warning.

The Bears are ranked sixth in the NFL in total defense, but suffered a blow when linebacker Willie Young was placed on injured reserve with a triceps injury. However, fellow linebacker Danny Trevathan returned to practice this week after serving his one-game suspension.

Chicago has lost its past 10 games on the road.

Baltimore, has also been hampered by injuries, especially on the offensive line. The Ravens have a league-high 16 players on injured reserve.

Matt Skura became the latest player to be ruled out when he suffered a sprained MCL against the Raiders. As a result, the Ravens will be forced to start a different player at right guard for the third time this season. Baltimore already lost another right tackle and Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda (ankle) and left guard Alex Lewis (shoulder) to season-ending injuries.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is confident the team can overcome those setbacks.

“It just doesn’t matter. It is not something we think about,” Harbaugh said about the injuries. “It is not something we quantify. We don’t waste any energy thinking about that. You just go and get ready for the next game.”

Flacco struggled in both of team’s two losses. He was also sacked six times over the recent two-game losing streak.

The offensive line did a much better job protecting against the Raiders and he responded with his best game of the season. Flacco finished with modest numbers, completing 19 of 26 passes for 222 yards.

However, he had two long completions to receiver Mike Wallace for 52 and 54 yards that set up scores. Flacco finished with a QB rating of 98.6 and did not endure a sack. He also did not throw an interception for the first time in 10 straight games.

The Ravens will look to test the Bears, who are ranked 12th against the pass. Flacco is looking for the momentum to continue this week, especially at home.

“I definitely think it’s going to carry over,” Flacco said. “We’re working hard in there. Guys are definitely ready to go and want to be involved and make a splash. We’re working hard to do that. I think it’s going to carry over.”

Chicago does not want to get into a shootout with Baltimore, especially with Trubisky still finding his footing. The Ravens are ranked second in the league with nine interceptions behind Jacksonville (10). Trubisky is ready for the challenge.

“You can’t be scared,” Trubisky said. “You’ve got to think every time the ball is in your hand that it’s going to be a completion, my guys are going to come down with it.”

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SAN FRANCISCO vs WASHINGTON
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Redskins -11. O/U: 46.5
PREDICTION: Redskins 27, 49ers 20

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as -11 point favorites versus the SAN FRANCISCO, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.5.

LANDOVER, Md. — The San Francisco 49ers’ quest for their first win of the season brings them to the nation’s capital this weekend.

While subplots abound, the main story doesn’t seem promising for 0-5 San Francisco.

The Redskins (2-2) are coming off a much-needed week off and looking to stay within sight of the first-place Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) in the NFC East.

Meanwhile, the 49ers have lost 19 of their past 21 road games, but Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Washington won’t get caught looking past San Francisco and ahead to next week’s game against the Eagles.

“They have a lot of good players over there, I’ve made it known — today in the meeting — that they’re four plays away from being 4-1, without a doubt,” Gruden said. “You take anybody for granted in this league, you’re an idiot. Not gonna happen here.”

Sunday’s game marks the return of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to Landover.

Shanahan served as Washington’s offensive coordinator under his father, Mike, from 2010 to 2013 and Garcon caught 376 passes for 4,549 yards in five campaigns before signing with San Francisco in the offseason.

Adding to the drama is the long-term fate of quarterback Kurt Cousins and an eventual reunion after this season with Shanahan, looming as one potential outcome.

After a slow start, Cousins is 39 of 54 for 585 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games. He also ran for 38 yards in a Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, including several big runs on a late fourth-quarter drive that led to the tying field goal.

Washington’s receiving corps is still trying to get untracked in the absence of Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Third-down running back Chris Thompson is tied for the lead with 14 receptions, along with wide receiver Jamison Crowder and tight end Jordan Reed.

Free-agent signee wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Jr. has 13.

“A year and a half of playing wide receiver or whatever it is … there’s still some growing pains there,” Gruden said of Pryor. “But you see a skill set there that we like — his height, obviously, his speed, his length. But there are some things that we just have to continue to clean up.”

A bye week that seemed too early when the schedule came out was fortuitous as Washington left Kansas City with a growing injury list.

Still, Washington will be without cornerback Josh Norman (rib) and Gruden said running back Rob Kelly (ankle) is a long shot to play. He was somewhat optimistic about tackle Trent Williams (knee).

Washington continues to benefit from an improved defense, which is ranked ninth in the NFL in yards per game. However, they still struggle to get off the field, ranking 21st in opponent’s third-down percentage (42 percent).

The 49ers are coming off their second straight overtime defeat. They erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter before losing 26-23 to the Indianapolis Colts, and have lost their last four games by three, three, two and three points.

“Yeah, we were close in a bunch of those games, but we still lost,” Shanahan said. “You have to sit there and figure out why and how you can figure out how to do better longer. It’s nice to be in these games and have a chance to win, but we have got to get over that hump and find a way to finish one.”

Quarterback Brian Hoyer, like Cousins a Michigan State alum, threw two touchdown passes and had a passer rating of 101.1 in the loss at Indianapolis, the first time he has reached triple figures as a member of the 49ers.

Hoyer’s 353 passing yards were a season best and the second-most of his career.

“It’s one play here, one play there. It could be a different story,” Hoyer told the team website regarding the 0-5 start. “Eventually, one of these days it’s going to go our way. We’re going to make that play, we’re going to get that one stop. Whatever it might be … and it’s going to turn the fortunes for the whole team.”

Running back Carlos Hyde (eight carries, 11 yards) had only three carries in the second half and overtime against the Colts. Undrafted rookie Matt Breida had 49 yards on 10 carries and, based on Shanahan’s comments, could see significant time Sunday.

Garcon leads the team with 28 catches for 379 yards. It is early, but his 13.5 yards per catch is his highest since 2012.

The 49ers’ defense, ranked 28th in yards per game, allowed the Colts’ Jacoby Brissett to pass for 314 yards. The unit is 31st in opponent’s third-down percentage (47.4 percent).

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who leads the team with 38 tackles, sat for 18 of the Colts’ 76 snaps. Shanahan said it was to keep the veteran fresh.

This week, the 49ers signed cornerback Leon Hall, 32, a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2007 draft. He spent nine years with the Bengals before signing with the New York Giants in 2016.

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LA RAMS vs JACKSONVILLE
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Jaguars -2.5. O/U: 42.5.
PREDICTION: Rams 24, Jaguars 21

Oddsmakers currently have the JACKSONVILLE listed as -3 point favorites versus the LA RAMS, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.

The Los Angeles Rams have a daunting travel schedule the next three weeks. The first leg of the trip puts them in Jacksonville on Sunday for a matchup with the Jaguars.

Both teams enter the contest 3-2, but Jacksonville is coming off a big road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Rams lost a winnable game last week in Los Angeles against the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks, 16-10. The Rams head to London in Week 7 for a “home” game vs. the Arizona Cardinals before facing the New York Giants in New Jersey in Week 8.

According to how the schedule has played out this season, this is a game the Rams will win. The Rams are undefeated on the road. Add that to these facts, the Jaguars won in Week 1, lost in Week 2, secured a victory in Week 3, were beaten in Week 4 yet blew out the Steelers in Week 5.

“That goes back to the consistency,” Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone said on Monday when talking about the team being able to put together a series of wins. “That’s what we’re going to have to do week in and week out. We’re talking about on Sunday. I think those things go hand in hand.

“We want to be a consistent football team. We want to be a winning football team. A lot of that is going to depend on what we’re doing during the week. A lot of that is going to depend upon our performance when we get out there on Sunday.”

Both teams are young, and each team is inconsistent. The Rams had a chance to secure a decisive victory against the formidable Seahawks, but turnovers and mental errors cost Los Angeles the win. Five turnovers vs. a solid defense will cost most NFL teams.

“Just take care of the ball and the rest takes care of itself,” Rams running back Todd Gurley said after the game. “We just weren’t able to do that, but it’s stuff we can fix for sure. Taking care of the ball, we will definitely get that fixed for sure.”

Gurley, who was the NFC Offensive Player for Week 4, had a fumble against the Seahawks and was held to 50 rushing yards.

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay must find a way to keep Gurley more involved in the offense, especially against a schizophrenic Jaguars defense.

Jacksonville shut down Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell in the Week 5 win, holding the All-Pro running back to 47 yards rushing on 15 carries. Yet this is the same defense that gave up 163 rushing yards to the New York Jets running back Bilal Powell in a Week 4 loss.

Gurley and company need to take advantage of the front seven of the Jacksonville defense. The Jaguars’ rushing defense ranks 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per game at 146.4.

The Rams’ rushing defense also has been a liability at times this season as well. Los Angeles is allowing 133.6 yards a game on the ground, which ranks 27th in the NFL.

The Jaguars enter the game leading the league in rushing attempts and in rushing yards. Jacksonville rookie running back Leonard Fournette (109 carries, 466 yards, five touchdowns) is primed for a career game.

Therein lies the rub for the Los Angeles offensive passing game. Jacksonville’s passing defense is third in the NFL. The Jaguars also lead the NFL in sacks with 20 and takeaways with 15. Rams quarterback Goff, who committed three turnovers in Week 5, will be tasked with being smarter with the football against an aggressive and opportunistic opponent.

Jaguars quarterback Bortles has not thrown for more than 250 yards in any game this season. He has seven touchdowns (four coming in a win against the Baltimore Ravens) and four interceptions. Both Bortles and Goff have shown the propensity to make big-time plays with their arms but then will revert to making rookie-type mistakes.

Another area to watch is the Rams’ punt return game. High-priced gadget player Tavon Austin was benched after a muff versus Seattle and will no longer be returning kicks. Rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp will get the first shot against a very good Jacksonville coverage unit.

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TAMPA BAY vs ARIZONA
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. 
LINE: Buccaneers -1.5. O/U: 45
PREDICTION: Cardinals 27, Buccaneers 20

Oddsmakers currently have the ARIZONA listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the TAMPA BAY, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.5.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited University of Phoenix Stadium last season in the second game of the year, they were greeted with a kick to the teeth by the Arizona Cardinals in the form of a 40-7 rout that led to a three-game losing streak that ultimately cost them a shot at making the playoffs.

“They just physically got after us and we turned it over way too many times,” Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter recalled. “They physically beat us and took advantage of our mistakes. We didn’t show up to play that day and we didn’t do a good job coaching, either, so we have to do a lot better job in all phases this year.”

When the Cardinals (2-3) and Buccaneers (2-2) line up on Sunday, last year will immediately become a distant memory. It already is for Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, who threw for three touchdowns in that game and says it doesn’t mean spit.

“Things change so fast from one year,” he said. “Players change, schemes change, you change offensively with your own players, so I really don’t look to years past. I look at the film from this year, and that’s it.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cardinals QB Carson Palmer’s next touchdown pass will be the 292nd of his career, breaking a tie with Warren Moon for 12th in NFL history.

2. Seven of the eight players listed on Tampa Bay’s injury report are on defense, with five being limited participants in Thursday’s practice – including LBs Kwon Alexander (hamstring) and Lavonte David (ankle).

3. While last in the league in rushing, Arizona ranks second in passing with an average of 289 yards per game.

In the Buccaneers, the Cardinals see a team on the rise that has reduced its turnover margin, is getting outstanding pass protection and run support from its offensive line, and has a more seasoned and poised young quarterback in Jameis Winston.

“Jameis is getting better and better each time he steps out on the field,” said Cardinals safety Tyvon Branch, who leads the NFL with 49 tackles. “He’s a great quarterback, man, and he’s got guys on the outside like DeSean Jackson that can fly and Mike Evans, who is playing lights out. So we’ve got our work cut out for us and it’s going to be a good game.”

Sunday will be especially interesting considering it will mark Adrian Peterson’s season debut with the Cardinals. The 11-year running back and three-time NFL rushing champion was acquired from the New Orleans Saints earlier in the week for a conditional sixth-round pick next year and he steps right into a starting role after being limited to third-back duty in New Orleans.

The 32-year-old Peterson was limited to 27 carries for 81 yards in four games with the Saints. In replacing fellow veteran Chris Johnson, who was released upon the trade, those rushing numbers represent more than any other Cardinals running back left on the roster.

“It means a lot. It shows that you’re appreciated and that someone, an organization, believes in you and what you’re able to do,” Peterson said of Arizona pursuing him and immediately making him the starter.

Peterson added he has plenty left in him and he plans to prove it, saying, “I have so much left. I’d love to play at least four to five more years, God willing. I have a lot left in the tank. So stay tuned. Stay tuned and you guys will be able to see that firsthand.”

Buccaneers defensive end Will Gholston isn’t about to doubt Peterson. He may have only logged three practices with the Cardinals, but Peterson can still be plenty dangerous and Gholston knows it.

“It’s Adrian Peterson, brother,” he said. “I don’t hold nothing. That’s Adrian Peterson.”

The Cardinals acquired Peterson in part because their running game ranks last in the league, averaging just 51.8 yards per game. That won’t stop them from trying to run the ball on the Buccaneers, though.

“One thing I’ve learned about being in the NFL so far is when a team is struggling like that, that’s something they want to get out there and prove they can do it,” Gholston said. “So just because they haven’t been running the ball well to everybody else’s opinion doesn’t mean they’re not going to come out there and try to run it.”

Tampa Bay discovered it may have an added attack in its own rushing game now that Doug Martin is back after serving a three-game suspension to start the year. In his season debut a week ago Thursday against the New England Patriots, Martin gained 74 yards on just 13 carries — an average of 5.7 yards per run.

What does a healthy and motivated Martin mean to the Buccaneers’ offense?

“If we’re getting the Doug that we’ve seen at his best, and he did look good the other night in the 25 snaps that he got, it gives you an explosive back,” Koetter said, adding “a back that can turn a 4-yard gain into a 12-yard gain and once in a while a 12-yard gain into a 50-yard gain.”

The Cardinals, meanwhile, plan to counter with a running back off their own who has been enjoying a career renaissance thanks to his ability as a pass-catching threat.

Andre Ellington, whose job didn’t appear safe entering training camp, has caught nine passes each of the past two weeks and has become one of Palmer’s go-to targets on third down.

“Yeah, he’s done a really good job,” Palmer said. “He’s extremely explosive with the ball in his hands, and I can’t think of a situation he’s been tackled by the first guy. He’s done such a good job of getting the ball and finding a seam to hit and getting north, getting vertical very quickly.

“There’s very little wasted motion or wasted steps. He catches the ball and gets downhill.”

Both teams have been battling injury woes at multiple key positions.

The Buccaneers have been hit especially hard at linebacker and safety, where Kwon Alexander (hamstring), Lavonte David (ankle), Keith Tandy (hip) and T.J. Ward (hip) have each been hurting.

The Cardinals had 13 players listed on their injury report earlier in the week and nine of them were starters, including All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson with a sore quadriceps.

Arizona is hoping to get two starters back on the left side of their offensive line, however: tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) and guard Alex Boone (pectoral strain).

“It’s going to be huge,” Palmer said, keeping his fingers crossed. “The tough part about it now is that they haven’t played next to each other, which is so important up there.

“Chemistry and all the things that come with playing next to a guy for a year, or six weeks, or practicing Thursday or Friday is what it’s going to be this week. It’s difficult.

“It’s a tough thing to do, but those guys are all in, and they’re excited about the chance to play next to each other.”

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INDIANAPOLIS vs TENNESSEE
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, October 16, 2017
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Off. O/U: Off
PREDICTION: Titans 17, Colts 16

Oddsmakers currently have the TENNESSEE listed as point favorites versus the INDIANAPOLIS, while the game’s total is sitting at .

Say this much for Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey: He’s got a cheeky sense of humor.

While Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano was conducting a conference call with Nashville media Wednesday morning, Mularkey took his turn as an intrepid journalist to ask his counterpart a question.

“Hey, Chuck, can you tell me Chud’s first 15 plays, preferably the first two?” Mularkey queried, referring to Indianapolis offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

One can’t blame Mularkey for seeking a little extra edge for his team’s first Monday night home game since 2014. The way things have gone for Tennessee the last two games, it needs every little advantage it can derive.

Back-to-back dreary losses — they were obliterated 57-14 in Week 4 at Houston and 16-10 last week in Miami — have taken some shine off what many around the organization were pointing to as a red-letter event in their resurgence as a good NFL team.

At 2-3, the Titans are only one game out of first in what is again a very winnable, very mediocre AFC South. Then again, so are the Colts, who have won 11 consecutive meetings, dating back to December 2011.

And Tennessee might be staring at another game without quarterback Marcus Mariota (hamstring) in its lineup. Mariota is hopeful that he can answer the bell, and after watching Matt Cassel’s performance at Miami, Titans fans are likely more hopeful than Mariota.

Not that Cassel could totally be blamed for the loss, in which he was sacked six times. But he managed just 141 yards on 21 of 32 passing with no completion longer than 17 yards, enabling the Dolphins to eliminate the deep throw from their thoughts.

Mularkey wants Mariota to be able to move well enough in the pocket and outside of it — mobility is a vital part of Mariota’s tool kit — before he’ll play him.

“He’s got to be able to move around pretty good … and not put himself in a position that he’s going to re-injure himself,” Mularkey said. “He’s got to show that by the end of the week.”

While Tennessee might get its regular quarterback back, Indianapolis already knows that Andrew Luck (shoulder) will miss another game. It was hoped that Luck might make his season debut in Nissan Stadium, where he’s 5-0, but he was ruled out Monday.

But the Colts appear to have the advantage if this is a matchup of backups. Jacoby Brissett has started the last four games after being obtained from New England, saving Indianapolis from having to play Scott Tolzien after a disastrous 46-9 Week 1 loss at the Los Angeles Rams.

Brissett threw for a career-high 314 yards last week in a 26-23 overtime victory over San Francisco, although he has been sacked 14 times behind a line which hasn’t been able to consistently offer its quarterback a clean pocket since Peyton Manning was spraying touchdown passes out of it.

Still, Indianapolis knows its opportunity is abundant. Jacksonville’s one-game lead through five weeks is hardly insurmountable, even though its defense is coming of age and Leonard Fournette has given the offense its first identity in years.

Houston is dealing with major injuries defensively, and the Titans have been a bit of a disappointment in the early going after entering the season with high expectations.

“This game, it counts double,” Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton said. “It’s very important. It’s something that we understand.”

Hilton has been tough on Tennessee. He owns a pair of 100-yard games against them, including a seven-catch, 133-yard performance last October in a comeback win in Nashville. And the Titans’ secondary hasn’t exactly been compared to Denver’s, although it held Miami’s impotent passing game to 78 yards last week.

Tennessee’s biggest concern might be reviving the running game around which its offense is built. Its offensive line, which had to play without left tackle Taylor Lewan (knee) for most of last week’s loss, didn’t open up a lot of holes. The Titans rushed for only 69 yards.

Granted, the Indianapolis defense isn’t quite as stout up front. And the incentive of snapping a losing streak that goes back six years and six starting quarterbacks has to count for something, especially under the Monday night lights.

After playfully fending off Mularkey’s attempt at beat writing, Pagano took a stab of his own.

“Can you let me know if 8 is going or not?,” Pagano said, referring to Mariota.

The answer could determine the outcome.

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PHILADELPHIA vs CAROLINA
When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, October 12, 2017
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

TV: 8:25 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: CAROLINA , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the CAROLINA listed as -3 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It feels so good after five games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers that they’re both in the right frame of mind for a short week of preparation before their next game.

It’s about to be better for one of them as the winner of Thursday night’s matchup at Bank of America Stadium will be the NFL’s second five-win team of the season.

“We’re finding ways to keep getting better,” Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said. “Good for our morale as a whole.”

Both teams are 4-1. The Eagles come flying in with growing confidence after a dominating performance in whipping the Arizona Cardinals 34-7.

“You don’t really have time to dwell on your past success,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “I look at it as the maturity of the football team, the experience of the football team. They know what it takes to stay focused. They know what it takes to stay grounded. It’s my job to keep them grounded, keep them focused.”

With only three full days between games, the teams are looking at the quick turnaround as one of the challenges. Both teams have found a groove, with the Panthers posting back-to-back road victories at New England and Detroit.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said it could get better for the Panthers.

Quarterback Cam Newton is coming off a pair of sterling outings as his practice time has increased following offseason shoulder surgery.

“We went on a rough patch early on this year because he was still working himself back into football shape,” Rivera said. “Now he’s starting to feel better and better and stronger and stronger. He’s getting his arm strength back. Now we see it and we know he can throw. I think it will open up more and more things.”

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz leads the NFL with 37 completed third-down passes and 11 yards per attempt on third down along with six third-down touchdown throws. He said he has the right mix of players around him.

“Offensively, we can be dynamic, we can be explosive,” Wentz said. “We’ve got to keep making plays.”

While the Panthers have been stymied trying to run the ball the past couple of weeks, the Eagles have appeared more balanced.

“I think that’s the big reason we’ve been able to be so successful,” Wentz said. “We’re able to move the ball in the air. We’ve been able to move the ball on the ground. I think that’s what makes us tough to defend at times.”

Yet the Eagles have concerns along the offensive line. Right tackle Lane Johnson was placed in concussion protocol during Sunday’s game, so that might mean Halapoulivaati Vaitai will be called upon for full duty. Vaitai received good reviews for his backup role against the 49ers, though Carolina ends Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers might create additional challenges.

“Big V stepped up,” Wentz said of Vaitai. “Big V had tons of valuable experience last year. We feel solid. If Lane is not ready to go, we feel Big V will be ready.”

Yet maintaining the level of offensive efficiency could be difficult against the Panthers.

“We’ve got multiple run schemes in every week,” Pederson said. “It’s just a matter of which ones are working that day. Each week it seems like we face a pretty good front and it’s no different this week.”

In 10 previous meetings between the teams, the top receiving number for a Carolina player came from tight end Greg Olsen with 119 yards in 2014. He won’t play this time because of a foot injury that has him out for a couple of months, but his fill-in, Ed Dickson, is coming off a career-high 175-yard receiving performance.

Rivera said Dickson’s production could open up other areas in the passing attack because he might have benefited from attention given to wideouts.

“It looked like they were more concerned with the outside than they were with Ed in the middle,” Rivera said of the Lions. “Our backs have been a big concern for a lot of teams as well. … If you’re throwing the ball to eight different people, now they have to account for them.”

Wentz threw for four touchdowns for the first time in his career Sunday. He seems anxious to see how he stacks up against Carolina.

“It’s coming quick,” he said. “All the preparation, everything speeds up. … We’re built differently. We know what to expect We’re hungry. We’re never going to get too high after a win. We just have to keep plugging along.”

Carolina hadn’t been bothered by penalties early in the season until it was flagged for seven penalties within the first 16 minutes in Detroit. Rivera said it will take better discipline to maintain the winning ways.

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DETROIT vs NEW ORLEANS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Saints -4.5. O/U: 50
PREDICTION: Saints 27, Lions 2

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ORLEANS listed as -4 point favorites versus the DETROIT, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints, fresh from a week off and buoyed by consecutive victories over Carolina and Miami, are trying to sneak above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season.

The Detroit Lions have lost twice in the last three weeks to Atlanta and Carolina by a combined seven points.

In a 27-24 home loss last week to the Panthers, the Lions lost their best defensive lineman, Haloti Ngata, possibly for the season with a first-half elbow injury, and watched quarterback Matthew Stafford limping badly in the fourth quarter with ankle and hamstring injuries as he almost sparked another late comeback.

When the Saints (2-2) host the Lions (3-2) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, they will be searching for their first three-game winning streak since October 2015, when they recovered from a 1-4 start to reach 4-4. But in missing the playoffs following three consecutive 7-9 seasons, the Saints have not had a winning record for 1,386 days.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Saints are the third team since 1933 to play their first four games without committing a turnover.

2. The Lions are tied for second in the league in turnover margin at plus-8.

3. Saints WR Michael Thomas has topped 85 receiving yards in three straight games and caught a touchdown pass in each of his last two contests.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees said the optics of a younger, more defensively talented team breaking through the .500 psychological barrier are less important than stringing three wins together after a fourth consecutive 0-2 start.

“I’m not thinking about over .500 (or) anything (like that),” Brees said. “It’s the next game, but it’s a very important game. It would be a very important win, just in our maturation process and for our season. We need to play better at home. We haven’t. I know there was a time when I think teams dreaded coming and playing in the Dome, and there’s no reason it can’t be like that again.”

Since 2014, the Saints are only 11-14 at the Superdome, but with a younger, more talented defense, there are signs the team is beginning to rise above mediocrity. New Orleans is one of only three teams in NFL history not to have committed a turnover in the first four games of a season, but the Lions lead the NFC and are tied for second in the NFL with a plus-8 takeaway margin.

“It’s the No. 1 key to victory every time we go into a game,” Brees said. “You still dial up the plays and play aggressive, you still take shots when you can, but I also think it’s just understanding when it’s OK to take a chance and maybe when it’s OK to just make sure the ball stays in your hands. You can’t paralyze yourself, but I think it’s just smart football.”

The Lions have defeated the Saints in each of the last three seasons: 24-23 in 2014 in Detroit, and 35-27 in 2015 and 28-13 and 2016 in the Superdome. Stafford has been particularly effective, but he is hobbled despite going through full practice Wednesday.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell wasn’t elaborating about how Stafford’s leg might limit him in the game.

“Check the (injury) report,” Caldwell said. “Next question.”

Lions wide receiver Golden Tate acknowledged what everyone could see with the naked eye — that Stafford was less than 100 percent late in the game against Carolina.

“He was playing with one leg in that game and led us down for two big touchdowns, and I feel like if we got the ball back, we would’ve scored again,” Tate said.

Stafford’s lack of mobility and Detroit’s porous offensive line play have led to 12 sacks in the last two games. Stafford is averaging only 6.45 yards per attempt, a full yard fewer than Brees.

“We have guys on the outside we like to get the ball to,” Caldwell said. “But we’ve got to be able to protect. We haven’t done it well enough.”

The week off may have benefitted the Saints at two key positions. Left tackle Terron Armstead, who missed the first four games while rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, appears ready to come back — “I want to play,” Armstead said. Wide receiver Willie Snead, suspended for three games for a DUI offense, returned to limited practice Wednesday.

Because of the strong performance of rookie running back Alvin Kamara, the Saints parted ways Tuesday with running back Adrian Peterson, sending the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer to Arizona for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2018. Peterson had only 81 yards on 27 carries in four games with New Orleans.

“This was done just using common sense,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “We had a chance to get a draft pick next year. I know Arizona was short at this position. There’s a confidence level with the way Mark (Ingram) and Alvin are playing.”

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CLEVELAND vs HOUSTON
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Texans -10. O/U: 47
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: Texans 35, Browns 17

Oddsmakers currently have the HOUSTON listed as -10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.

HOUSTON — Eternally wedged between a rock of despair and the hard place of misguided decisions, the Cleveland Browns spent the preseason committed to rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, for better or for worse, even though he was facing a protracted maturation process.

A mere five games into that binding relationship, the Browns (0-5) seemingly separated themselves from Kizer, naming backup Kevin Hogan their starter for their Sunday road game against the Houston Texans (2-3).

When Hogan takes the field at NRG Stadium, he will become the 28th signal-caller to start a game for the Browns since they were reborn in 1999.

“I think sometimes it’s good for guys to take a step back and see where they are so they have an opportunity to go back out there and do it again,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “This is by no means the end of DeShone Kizer, but I think he’s competitive like any young man would be.

“(He’d) love to be out there playing and competing, but sometimes these things happen and it’s my job as a leader to make sure I get him through whatever tough roads there are so we can come out on the other side, and I think he’ll do that.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins hauled in three TD receptions last week and has five on the season, one more than his 16-game total from 2016.

2. Houston C Greg Mancz (knee) sat out the last two games and remains questionable.

3. Cleveland LB Jamie Collins (concussion) missed the last three games but is back at practice and could return this week.

Kizer has struggled mightily, but that was expected. He has completed just 50.9 percent of his attempts while tossing three times as many interceptions (an NFL-high nine) as touchdowns (three).

With Kizer at the controls, the Browns were 26th in net yards per pass attempt (5.5), 27th in yards per play (4.9), and dead last in passer rating (60.2).

Only the Miami Dolphins, who signed quarterback Jay Cutler out of retirement and inserted him into the starting lineup during the preseason, have scored fewer points per game than the Browns’ 15.4.

That the Browns will pin their hopes, at least in the interim, on Hogan speaks volumes of their desperate search for something positive.

A fifth-round selection (162nd overall) in 2016 out of Stanford, Hogan completed 16 of 19 attempts for 194 yards and two touchdowns plus one interception working off the bench last week in a 17-14 loss to the New York Jets.

That marked his third appearance in reserve this season, with Hogan posting a 104.8 passer rating thus far in 2017.

Expecting Hogan to resurrect the Browns seems an exercise in folly. Their offense is largely bereft of talent, and for all the mistakes Kizer has made, he hasn’t undermined Cleveland alone.

Furthermore, pulling the plug on Kizer so early in the season might compromise his development. If the Browns have decided to punt on Kizer this early into his career, that speaks to either poor evaluation or development (Kizer was selected in the second round, 52nd overall).

Future franchise aspirations aren’t likely to be salvaged by inserting Hogan.

“Well, I see a guy that’s improved from year one to year two,” Jackson said of Hogan. “Came in the league and knew there were some things he needed to work on.

“Ended up here in Cleveland with us, played for us as a rookie in some games, did some spot things but really took the bull by the horns in the offseason, worked extremely hard and came back and he’s been our backup quarterback since we started the season and now he’s going to get an opportunity to start.”

While the Texans seemingly nailed their quarterback selection last April — rookie Deshaun Watson has passed for 1,072 yards, leads the NFL with an 8.3 percent touchdown rate and owns a sparkling 100.7 passer rating — their injury-ravaged defense is aiming to move forward.

The Texans lost two frontline starters on their opening defensive possession Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs: linebacker Whitney Mercilus (pectoral) and end J.J. Watt (leg).

The Texans filled those roster voids by signing veteran defensive ends Kendall Langford and Lamarr Houston, who have totaled 225 games (183 starts), 509 tackles and 48 sacks.

Replacing Mercilus and Watt is no easy task. Langford and Houston represent a step forward.

“Two good veterans, really good guys, a lot of experience,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Both have experienced adversity in their careers, which I think is a good thing.

“They’ve had to come back from injuries, they’ve had to come back and play at a high level. They worked out well. They’re obviously in shape, which is the big key in those workouts.

“Both heavy-handed players relative to the positions that they play. Smart players. Guys that I believe can help us. So I think they’re definitely two good additions to the team.”

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NY GIANTS vs DENVER
When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Broncos -11.5. O/U: 39.5
PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Giants 13

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -11.5 point favorites versus the NY GIANTS, while the game’s total is sitting at 39.5.

DENVER — The injury-ravaged New York Giants remain winless, and they suspended one of their top defensive players.

Still, the rested Denver Broncos, who are 3-1 and didn’t play last week, have no intention of taking their Sunday night foe lightly.

“We know the Giants are 0-5,” Broncos running back C.J. Anderson said. “But, we also know they have Pro Bowl players over there. If you don’t show up in this business every week, you’re going to get your butt kicked. Their goal is to come in here and get a ‘W.’ Our goal is also to win. Both teams have one thing in common.”

It has been one tough week for the Giants, however. They lost three of their best wide receivers to season-ending injuries: Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle fracture), Dwayne Harris (foot fracture) and former Bronco Brandon Marshall (ankle ligament damage).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Broncos LB Von Miller has four sacks in his last three games and is 1.5 shy of tying for second place on the team’s all-time list.

2. Manning has 1,594 passing yards with 17 TDs and seven interceptions in the last six games versus AFC opponents.

3. Broncos RB Jamaal Charles can become the 11th active player to reach 10,000 yards from scrimmage. He is 87 yards short.

On Wednesday, cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, apparently upset over his role with the team after being pulled from the Giants’ 27-22 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, abruptly left the practice facility, and coach Ben McAdoo suspended him.

Cornerback Eli Apple, who was benched for the first three series last week, is expected to return to the starting role assumed by Rodgers-Cromartie the week before.

The Giants filled out their depleted receiving corps by re-signing Tavarres King, who was with the team in training camp, and re-signing Darius Powe, also a late training camp cut, to their practice squad.

Roger Lewis finished last Sunday’s game as the only healthy receiver on New York’s roster. The Giants hope that wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who has missed practice time this week because of an ankle injury, will be able to go. He remains questionable, though.

“I think the good thing is most of them were here during training camp,” Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. “Tavarres King has been with us the last couple of years and played for us in the regular season, caught some touchdowns. Roger Lewis played all last year, played this year.

“A few other guys have been here on the practice squad, so they know the system, they know the plays and the routes and concepts. So it’s not brand new for them, and so they should be able to hop in there and play.”

The bottom line for the Giants is that they have to persevere through all the injuries and tumult.

“We’ve got to keep working. That’s all you can do,” Manning said. “We’ve got a game to get ready for. We’ve got some new guys on offense who we’ve got to get up to speed. … We’ve just got to go out there, compete our tails off and try to get a win.”

As for the Broncos, they’re approaching the Sunday contest focused on putting everything into their play while refusing to dwell on the possible impact of all the problems facing the Giants.

“I think Coach (Vance) Joseph had a good message right after we played (and lost to) the Bills,” Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian said. “There’s no upsets. There’s no favorites in the NFL because anything can happen every week. You see plenty of evidence of that every Sunday.

“The Giants are coming in here with a chip on their shoulder. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. They have a bunch of great players. They have a Hall of Fame quarterback. They have a great team. We have to be ready to play.”

New York’s depleted receiver corps will leave the Giants at a disadvantage against the Denver defense, which leads the league in yards allowed per game (260.8).

“They are a good defense. They have good players,” Manning said. “They have a good scheme, so we have to have great preparation. We can’t make it easy for them, so we have to go out and execute.

“We have to be able to get first downs, don’t make the mistakes and see where we can get some of our best matchups and go make some plays.”

The Broncos certainly will have the advantage from a team-wide health perspective after being idle last week. Wide receiver Cody Latimer missed practice time with a knee injury and is questionable.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ injuries go beyond their receiver corps. Center Weston Richburg is in the league-mandated concussion protocol and must be cleared medically before rejoining team workouts.

Running back Paul Perkins (ribs), safety Landon Collins (ankle) and linebacker Jonathan Casillas (neck) all missed practice time this week and remain questionable for the Sunday game.

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LA CHARGERS vs OAKLAND
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: OFF. O/U: OFF
PREDICTION: Raiders 24, Chargers 19

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as point favorites versus the LA CHARGERS, while the game’s total is sitting at .

The boost the Oakland Raiders are looking for could be under center against the Los Angeles Chargers at home on Sunday.

Quarterback Derek Carr is expected to return from a back fracture as Oakland (2-3) looks to snap a three-game skid against the Chargers (1-4).

“We think he’s ready to go,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “We’ll see how practice goes and monitor as we go through the week, but I think things are encouraging.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Raiders are one of three teams in the league (Chicago, Miami) yet to record an interception.

2. Los Angeles LB Melvin Ingram (7.5) and DE Joey Bosa have combined for 12 sacks, the most in the league among two teammates.

3. Oakland has won the last four meetings, including a 34-31 decision at home on Oct. 9, 2016.

Not much has gone the Raiders’ way of late. Since Carr went down two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos, Oakland lost that game and the following one to the Baltimore Ravens.

Once a trendy pick for the Super Bowl, the Raiders are suddenly three games behind the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland also trails the Broncos (3-1) as well in what many consider the NFL’s toughest division.

“I know for us, it’s a division game, which makes it big already,” Del Rio said. “For me, it’s about preparing, coming out there and playing good football and that is what want to be about, is good football.”

The Chargers have produced little of that, even in their win over the New York Giants on Sunday. It was an uneven performance from a team that is struggling to find its feet under new coach Anthony Lynn and in a new city.

“It was a game where at times we didn’t really play all that well again and quickly once the dust settles you are still 1-4 and you have a heck of a hill to climb,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “But I think we are still very hungry and the focus is Oakland — no one is going to relax.”

The Raiders will second that, knowing they’re not in position to give anymore ground in the division.

“We need it pretty bad,” Del Rio said. “If there’s a desperation meter, we want it pretty bad.”

If the Raiders get Carr back, that’s a plus. If not, the more mobile but less-accurate EJ Manuel will get his second straight start.

“We’ll see,” Carr said about being available on Sunday. “I was ready to go last week in my head. I think that’s how I always think.”

While idle, Carr was able to contemplate why the Raiders are struggling on offense.

“When you watch it from the sidelines, it is really hard,” Carr said. “To sit here and see certain looks and see thing going on with all those kind of things … we just have to be more efficient.”

Trying to protect Carr from the Chargers’ potent pass-rushing tandem of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa is a huge task. The pair has a combined 12 sacks, tops among two NFL teammates.

“Both are big challenges,” Del Rio said. “Different styles. Sometimes they pair them together and they work together in combinations; they’re both very good in what they do. To me, they’re two guys you need to know about.”

The Raiders know they’re good, but they have had a hard time showing it on a consistent basis. Donald Penn knows why.

“We’re so uptight,” he said. “We expected to have a different start these first five games. I think we need to take a deep breath and relax. We’re so on edge.”

The Chargers hope they can keep them there with an offense that has weapons. Rivers’ aim hasn’t always been true, but Keenan Allen is fourth in the league with 401 receiving yards and his 235 on third down is an NFL high.

Melvin Gordon has proved to be productive out of the backfield, as his three scoring receptions pace all running backs.

The Raiders have won four straight in the series, including sweeping last year’s games, winning by three points on both occasions.

The Chargers are making their first visit since 1960 as the Los Angeles Chargers. In the AFL’s opening season, the Raiders got thumped by the Chargers 47-17.

Both teams have taken their lumps of late.

“I’m sure their expectations haven’t changed because there is a lot of football left,” Rivers said of the Raiders. “Are we disappointed in our start? Yes. Are they disappointed they have lost a couple in a row? Yes.

“But I don’t think the expectations have changed for either of us.”

With another win, the Chargers just might keep their slim hopes of a positive season alive.

“It’s the boring old answer to just win this week and not look so much at the 1-4,” Rivers said. “Just find a way to win our second in a row.”

With another win for the Raiders, they snap their losing funk and get a chance to gain momentum for another AFC battle against the Chiefs on Thursday night.

With another loss, the Raiders tumble into last place, sharing the space with the Chargers.

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